Canada200144 minEnglish with English Subtitles
In 1971, Canada became the first country in the world to recognize multiculturalism as official government policy. In that context, 11-year-old Cyrus Sundar Singh joined an after-school film club whose members all happened to be the children of immigrants. While learning to love film, they also grappled with their identities — were they Chinese, Indian, or Italian? Were they Canadian? Together, they made a short film that explored these ideas and more.
In this charming and deeply nostalgic 2001 documentary, Sundar Singh reunites his classmates to talk about their experiences growing up in a multicultural Toronto neighbourhood — the everyday racism and bullying and the struggles at home, and how the club gave them a sense of belonging that their country did not yet offer.
Now, on the 25th anniversary of the release of Film Club, we revisit those questions: How far have we as Canadian society come?
– Deanna Wong
Cyrus Sundar Singh*
A Gemini Award-winning filmmaker, scholar, composer, singer-songwriter, author, poet, and changemaker, Cyrus Sundar Singh’s multidisciplinary outputs of films, scholarly research, publications, and creative productions have delivered in excess of 70 projects worldwide.
*In attendance
Perhaps it’s time to reconcile your version of reality with the world that's in front of you. It may be more distant than you’d care to admit.
14 Nov. 2:45 pm
It’s the hottest day of the year. The popsicles are dripping, the pimples are popping, and the power is out. Taking a classic "day-in-the-life" form, we are treated to vignettes and conversations that on the surface seem ordinary but build to reveal each young character’s anxiety about the clash between their carefree present and uncertain future.
15 Nov. 7:00 pm
Win is a struggling gig worker whose mom is sick — and the hospital bills are about to force them out of their home. By chance, an old schoolmate gives Win the opportunity to make a quick buck by fighting in an underground MMA venue.
19 Nov. 7:00 pm
Founded in Toronto in 1997, Reel Asian is Canada’s largest pan-Asian film festival and a year-round cultural organization dedicated to championing Asian and Asian diasporic artists and storytellers. What began as a grassroots film festival has grown into a national platform supporting filmmakers and audiences through screenings, education, industry initiatives, artist development, and community programming presented across Toronto, the GTA, and online across Canada.
401 Richmond Street West, The Commons (Suite 448)
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3A8 Canada
(416) 703 – 9333
info@reelasian.com
Charitable number: 870021383RR0001
